Google Nexus

For other uses, see Nexus (disambiguation).

Google Nexus
DeveloperGoogle
ManufacturerGoogle, various
TypeSmartphones, tablets, digital media players
Release dateJanuary 5, 2010; 14 years ago (2010-01-05)
Lifespanapproximately 6 years
Operating systemAndroid
Online servicesGoogle Play
SuccessorGoogle Pixel

Google Nexus is a discontinued line of consumer electronic mobile devices that ran a stock version of the Android operating system. Google managed the design, development, marketing, and support of these devices, but some development and all manufacturing were carried out by partnering with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Alongside the main smartphone products, the line also included tablet computers and streaming media players; the Nexus started out in January 2010 and reached its end in October 2016,[1] replaced by Google Pixel family.

Devices in the Nexus line[2] were considered Google's core Android products. They contained little to no manufacturer or wireless carrier modifications to Android (such as custom user interfaces[3]), although devices sold through carriers may be SIM locked, had some extra branding, and may have received software updates at a slower pace than the unlocked variant. Save for some carrier-specific variants, Nexus devices were often among the first Android devices to receive updates to the operating system.[4][5][6] All Nexus devices featured an unlockable bootloader[7] to allow further development and end-user modification. Although Nexus devices were originally produced in small quantities as they were intended as developer phones, the lack of bloatware/modifications to Android while providing similar performance to more expensive flagship smartphones from OEMs gained Nexus devices a considerable following.[8] In addition to the Nexus program, Google also sold Google Play editions of OEM devices, which run the "stock" version of Android without the OEM nor carrier modifications.[9]

OEMs that were part of the Nexus program were namely HTC, Samsung, LG, Motorola, Huawei and Asus. In late 2016, the Nexus lineup was replaced by the Google Pixel, which provides a similar stock Android experience but sold for considerably higher prices, directly competing with flagship smartphones from OEMs. Google stated that they "don't want to close a door completely, but there is no plan right now to do more Nexus devices."[10] In 2017, Google partnered with HMD Global in making new Nokia phones, as part of the Android One program, which has been considered by some as a spiritual successor to the Nexus.[11][12][13][14]

  1. ^ "Google Kills Nexus Series, Removes All Products From Google Store". Gadgets 360. October 5, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  2. ^ Topolsky, Joshua (December 10, 2010). "Nexus S review". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  3. ^ "The ultimate Android UI comparison: 2017 edition - AndroidPIT". June 11, 2017.
  4. ^ Purdy, Kevin (December 6, 2010). "Google Launches Android 2.3 Gingerbread and Nexus S Flagship Phone". Lifehacker. Gawker Media. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  5. ^ Ho, Erica; Rose, Brent (October 18, 2011). "This Is the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Google's New Official Android Phone". Gizmodo. Gawker Media. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  6. ^ Kendrick, James (October 27, 2011). "Don't Diss My Phone: Nexus S to Get Ice Cream Sandwich Within Weeks". ZDNet. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on October 29, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  7. ^ Bray, Tim (December 20, 2010). "It's not "rooting", it's openness" (blog). Android Developers. Google. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  8. ^ Volpe, Joseph (November 3, 2011). "Galaxy Nexus gets rooted, forums burst into applause". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  9. ^ Bohn, Dieter (June 26, 2013). "Pure Android: Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One 'Google Play editions' review". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  10. ^ Gurman, Mark (October 4, 2016). "This Man Is Explaining Google's Hardware Bet to Android Partners". Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  11. ^ "Nokia phones are going to be similar to Google Nexus phones". Archived from the original on August 20, 2021.
  12. ^ "Nokia Wants To Make Its Android Phones The New Nexus Phones". Archived from the original on June 22, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  13. ^ "Nokia to Recreate the Nexus Model". MazumaMobile.com. April 12, 2017. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  14. ^ "Nokia-Google Partnership: HMD Global Ramps Up Efforts For Ambitious Android Campaign". April 18, 2017.